Chapter 38: The Consequences of Auditing Accounts
Within Eastern Zhou, it was unthinkable for anyone, let alone a eunuch like Long Chen, to ascend the ranks at such a rocket-like pace—even those children of prominent officials never experienced such meteoric promotion. In just half a month, he went from a lowly palace eunuch to chief eunuch, and within two months, became acting Minister of Works. Since the founding of Eastern Zhou, only Long Chen had accomplished such a feat.
Empress Yu Wei reflected for a moment, realizing how rare it was to find a eunuch like Long Chen. “Keep an eye out. If you come across anyone clever, send them to my palace,” she instructed earnestly.
Wei Xian replied in a low voice, “But Your Highness, hasn’t the Princess’s palace always refrained from employing eunuchs?” Traditionally, only palace maids served the Eastern Palace; eunuchs were never sent there.
He Ningxin rebuked him coldly, “If you’re told to send them, you send them! Why so much nonsense?”
Wei Xian, stunned by the reprimand, hurriedly answered, “Yes, I understand!”
With He Ningxin and her retinue, Empress Yu Wei left the cleansing chamber and returned to the Eastern Palace.
Wei Xian wiped the sweat from his brow and shook his head, saying, “A eunuch like Minister Long—there’s probably only one such person in the world.”
“By the way, where’s Old Wu?”
Wei Xian hadn’t seen Wu Jian these past few days.
Another blade craftsman in the cleansing chamber answered, “Old Wu requested permission from the Fourth Princess a few days ago; he’s gone to Linjiang City to join the army.”
Wei Xian spat and cursed, “Having lost their roots, they still go off to be soldiers? Warfare is men’s business—must be bored out of their minds.”
“Just pay attention in future. If you spot anyone clever, keep them for the Princess.”
The craftsman nodded and agreed obsequiously.
...
Western Palace.
Princess Luo Xi lay on her couch, feeling a strange discomfort in her body.
“Something feels missing,” she muttered, turning restlessly, unable to relax.
Qing Yue said, “Isn’t it because Little Dragon isn’t here? Shall I call him back?”
Luo Xi waved her hand. “No need. My eldest sister is checking the accounts—go find out how it’s going.”
Xuan Yi replied, “I’ve already inquired. They say Little Dragon has invented a new bookkeeping method, and all the veteran accountants are learning from him.”
Luo Xi asked in surprise, “A new bookkeeping method? Little Dragon knows accounting?”
Xuan Yi nodded, “He does. I heard the Grand Princess is very impressed, and even His Majesty praises him.”
Xuan Yi spoke animatedly, heaping praise on Long Chen. Luo Xi, however, frowned, sensing danger.
“Is my sister planning to poach Little Dragon?”
“That... I don’t know.”
“Hmph, those sisters are always scheming about Little Dragon—I must keep a close watch.”
Princess Luo Xi sat up, considering how to keep Long Chen by her side, lest he be taken away.
“Come, let’s go see Little Dragon.”
She rose and changed her coat, with Xuan Yi and Qing Yue gathering their things and following her out.
The old palace maid eyed them in silent astonishment: the Fourth Princess cared so much for a eunuch—how odd. Could the princess possibly...?
But such thoughts were quickly dismissed. How could a princess fancy a eunuch? Too absurd.
The three rode by carriage to the Ministry of Revenue. Over a hundred guards surrounded the brightly lit rooms.
Seeing the Princess’s carriage, the guards stood aside.
Inside, Long Chen was engrossed in his calculations, while the veteran accountants buried themselves in their work.
“Little Dragon!”
Startled by Qing Yue’s sudden appearance, Long Chen nearly jumped.
“Oh, my lady, you frightened me half to death,” he said, exhaling, then noticed Princess Luo Xi herself had arrived.
“Princess, what brings you here?”
“I heard my sister praised you, so I came to see for myself. You really are dedicated.”
Luo Xi settled into Long Chen’s seat, idly flipping through the account books.
From her seemingly complimentary words, Long Chen detected another meaning—it wasn’t praise at all.
“By imperial order, the accounts of the Ministry were in chaos, so I’ve been diligent in checking them. Of course, I remain a person of the Western Palace.”
Luo Xi was a tigress; a wise man avoids quarreling with a tigress.
She nodded with satisfaction. “That’s good. Remember it.”
Looking around, she sought a place to recline but found none.
“Princess, what are you looking for?”
“A couch.”
Long Chen told her there was one inside. Luo Xi immediately went in, Qing Yue tidied it, and Luo Xi shed her coat, revealing only her nightgown.
“Massage me. I haven’t felt well since you left.”
She lay prone, her hips perfectly contoured.
Long Chen, after a long day’s toil, welcomed the respite. He slipped off his shoes, sat beside her, and began massaging her shoulders.
“Mm...ah...yes...right there...a little harder...”
Luo Xi felt much better.
“Princess, have you been neglecting exercise? Your muscles are a bit tense.”
Long Chen finished her shoulders and slowly worked his hands downward.
“I have been lazy lately, not training enough.”
“How many discrepancies have you found in the accounts?”
“Quite a few—it’s only the beginning. When it’s all totaled, I fear the deficit will be enormous.”
Luo Xi panted slightly, “Little Dragon, once you uncover these problems, you’ll be at odds with the Grand General’s mansion. Be prepared.”
Long Chen understood: finding issues in the Ministry’s accounts meant Jing Heng was implicated.
If Jing Heng was implicated, so was the Jing family.
“Is this the Emperor’s will?”
Long Chen wondered if Luo Xi was acting on her own, or on behalf of the Empress.
Luo Xi, eyes closed, savored Long Chen’s circling touch.
“No, I’m just warning you. But don’t worry—if they’re parasites in the court, it doesn’t matter whose family they’re from.”
Luo Xi’s temperament was fierce, and she disliked Jing Tianlie. Jing Heng had even coveted her beauty.
“With your assurance, Princess, I am at ease. I only fear that if I uncover problems, I’ll be abandoned as a pawn.”
Such outcomes were common—the vanguard often became cannon fodder.
Luo Xi replied, “Rest assured—even if no one else will protect you, I will! You’re mine!”
Say what one will of Luo Xi’s fierceness, her possessiveness was real.
“Thank you, Princess.”
Long Chen pressed a little harder, eliciting soft moans from Luo Xi.
Outside, the veteran accountants overheard Luo Xi and Long Chen, and the faint, indescribable sounds that followed, filling them with bewildered thoughts.
What kind of eunuch could make both the Grand Princess and Fourth Princess vie for him day and night?
Especially this Fourth Princess—what was she doing with Long Chen inside?
Why those unnameable sounds?
An hour later, Luo Xi finally emerged, her face flushed and satisfied, returning to the Western Palace.
Long Chen, exhausted, declared, “Gentlemen, that’s all for today. Please rest early.”
With that, he turned and fell asleep on the couch.
This scene only fueled their imaginations further.
“Is he really a eunuch?”
“Careful what you say!”
The accountants finished their late-night meal and retired.
Over the following days, Yu Wei came daily to review the accounts, while Luo Xi dropped by from time to time—each visit accompanied by those indescribable sounds.
With Long Chen’s new double-entry accounting method, the Ministry’s tangled and chaotic ledgers gradually became clear, and a final account book emerged.